Hinckley Councillors welcome news of more action on Metal Theft

Hinckley Liberal Democrat Councillors David Bill and Michael Mullaney have welcomed a letter they have received from the Home Office indicating that more measures will be taken to tackle the problem of metal theft.

David Bill and Michael Mullaney wrote to the Home Office urging more action to be taken to tackle metal theft following the recent inflicting of £50,000 of damage to the St Mary's Church roof following attempts to steal lead from it.

The response from the Home Office to Cllrs Bill and Mullaney confirmed that cash payments for purchasing scrap metal would be outlawed, fines for offences involving stolen scrap metal would rise and police would have powers to enter scrap metal yards. The letter ended by saying that the Home Office would bring forward further measures to tackle scrap metal in due course.

Michael Mullaney said, "I welcome news that the Home Office will be bringing forward further measures to tackle this problem, on top of the ones they have already announced.

"Scrap metal theft is a menace to the community and those who steal it seem to have no scruples. Tougher penalties should help deal with this problem."